FISHES. 15 



scale. This species is found in great numbers in the 

 Mediterranean Sea, and in ancient times was esteemed as 

 a peculiar delicacy. It is a fierce and ravenous fish, and 

 bites at every thing within its reach. From this vora- 

 city, as well as its depredations on all the finny tribes 

 found in its vicinity, it has received the name of the 

 wolf-fish. It sometimes leaves the sea, and goes up 

 large rivers. The sea pike of South America resembles 

 it ; silver white, with a golden luster and yellow fins. 

 It is, however, greatly preferred as an article of food. 



The Sand Perch (perca lucioperca) is commonly 

 one foot and a half long ; silver-colored, with short, 

 transverse bands on the back ; the pectoral fins are red. 

 This much valued fish is found in the fresh waters of 

 North Germany and Southern Russia ; also in the Danube 

 and Caspian Sea, where it is found three feet in length. 

 It is a ravenous fish, delights in deep waters, is by no 

 means hardy, and endures the winter by covering itself 

 in the sand. The flesh is better and harder in autumn 

 than at other seasons. Sand perch are generally eaten 

 boiled. 



The Letter Fish (perca scriba), found in the Mediter- 

 ranean, is nine inches long ; striped irregularly with blue 

 lines ; lives on small fish and snails. The Saw Perch 

 has no lines, is no larger, and, like the above, esteemed 

 a table luxury. 



The Rock Fish, or Striped Bass (perca labrax), is a 

 sea fish that has the -tongue covered with asperities. In 

 most respects resembles a perch. On the sides are par- 

 allel lines, like narrow ribbons, which give it the name. 

 It abounds on the Atlantic shores of the United States, 

 and is much esteemed as an article of food. 



The Red or Claret Perch (anthias sacer). The scales 



